How to Make Your Work an Act of Service

Each day you go to work, your head is probably filled with all that you have to tackle along with unresolved issues from the day before. Meanwhile, there are people in the cubicle or office right next to you, people you interact with online or on the phone who are struggling, hurting or dealing with difficult challenges. It’s so easy to miss noticing the needs of these people when we’re caught up in our own busyness.

As Christians, we’re called to serve others – not just in our volunteering outside of work. We’re called to serve others at work, through the work we do and the way we show Christ’s love to others. We’re called to be servant leaders.

Jesus sets an amazing example for us. He was in constant demand by thousands of people. You and I may have a line of five or six people waiting at the office door from time to time. Now imagine having thousands right there – in your face! Even as the time approached for Jesus to be crucified, he focused on serving his disciples.

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God
and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet,
drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
John 13:3-5

Notice the “so.” What can we learn for our work from this passage?

Make serving others a priority every day – No matter what you’ve got on your task list at work today, God wants you to include serving others so you can be a light for Christ in the workplace. When you serve selflessly, it pleases God and opens the door for you to share your faith with others.

Be willing to do whatever is needed – Serving others at work may call you to offer a helping hand to an overwhelmed co-worker, locate resources for a critical project, or pray with someone who is struggling. It may also require you to roll up your sleeves, take out the trash or do some clean up. We have to be willing to get our hands dirty.

Remember who and whose you are – God is the one who gives us favor, promotion, skills, wisdom. He is in control of our work, not us. We need to let go of thinking that “I have to make this project happen; I need to prove myself to management; I’ve got this” – In reality, God is the only one who is in control in our work and in life. He’s got it all, gives it all and asks that we show others His love by serving.

We’re all busy. But consider what Andy Stanley, author and pastor at North Point Ministries, has shared: “Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone. Because if we all did for one what we wish we could do for everyone, it might change the world. But certainly, it would change one person’s world. It may even change your world.”

Want to learn more about Love at Work? Check out our latest WorkMatters Study, Jesus: Love at Work.

Catherine Gates is Director of Outreach & Engagement for Workmatters. She oversees the development, facilitation and marketing of Workmatters Studies that equip marketplace leaders with biblical leadership principles. Catherine has a broad range of experience in technology, sales training, public speaking and curriculum development. She’s passionate about her faith and helping people tap into more of God’s best for their lives while bringing God glory.